Watch Ariel Castro's House Be Demolished Live

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Maggie Lange

08/07/13 07:39AM

Filed to: Ariel Castro

The planned demolition of the home of Ariel Castro, the man who imprisoned three young women for nearly a decade, began this morning in Cleveland's west side. The demolition comes less than a week after Castro was sentenced to life in prison, with no chance for parole, plus 1,000 years.

Castro had signed the deed to the three-story home over to Cuyahoga County after he pled guilty. The house's destruction was part of the deal that prevented Castro from a possible death sentence. The 53-year-old cried while he signed the deed, talking of his "many happy memories" with his captives in this home. The police discovered $22,000 in the washing machine in the home's basement and this money will help to fund the razing.

The three women, along with one's six-year-old daughter by Castro, were freed on May 6 after neighbors heard them yelling. Castro pled guilty to 937 charges, including aggravated murder after causing one of the women to miscarry.

[image via AP]

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casen Maggie Lange 08/07/13 07:51AM

Why are they razing the house? Is it structurally unsound?

PaulsMom casen 08/07/13 07:54AM

Yes, how does this make any sense? SMH

Deadeas casen 08/07/13 07:57AM

Is *anyone* going to want to go anywhere near that place given the history it now has? Razing it is the best option, rather than letting it sit abandoned and becoming a hazard for the neighborhood.

Crestfallen Commenter casen 08/07/13 08:01AM

It just seems to be a thing that is done of the houses of murderers, rapists, etc. For example, Jeffrey Dahmer's apartment block was demolished (it's now a parking lot) and Fred and Rose West's (British serial killers) house was flattened too.

iforgetmyoldburnername casen 08/07/13 08:03AM

I can't imagine anyone's going to want to buy it. It's in the new owner's best interest to tear it down and start over.

Bat-dork Maggie Lange 08/07/13 09:56AM

Ok. So they bring this to the ground, and then what happens? Do they simply sell the terrain to make another house, or do they turn it into a playground for the kids? Or maybe they build a Mc Starbucks?

MizJenkins Bat-dork 08/07/13 10:35AM

Well since the county bought it I actually think it would be nice if they made it into a small playground or community garden. Benefit the neighborhood, bring some good juju back to that particular patch of soil.

But Cleveland's dead broke so yeah they'll probably try to sell the lot for some kind of profit.

Zabella Bat-dork 08/07/13 11:09AM

Let the residents of the neighborhood decide, but you know Charles Ramsey will push for a McDonalds.

InTheStill MizJenkins 08/07/13 11:54AM

Cleveland is dead broke? Ohio has budget problems but Cleveland is actually managing pretty well except for the shortfall coming from the state, but most cities are facing that state level drop in funding because of the extended recession.

Allo Maggie Lange 08/07/13 07:51AM

That money should be socked away for the poor kid who will need years of therapy.

BrassyBibliophile Allo 08/07/13 08:21AM

The county offered the money to the women for health care and other expenses and they refused it. The razing was done for free and that 22,000 dollars is going to help turn the area into a park for the neighborhood.

Allo BrassyBibliophile 08/07/13 08:50AM

That's good to hear.

1000beautifulthings Allo 08/07/13 09:24AM

Yeah, I dont see why that money can't be split among the three ladies.

HollyGoGo BrassyBibliophile 08/07/13 11:48AM

Any word on why they would have refused the money? They certainly deserve it.

CleverUsername Maggie Lange 08/07/13 08:08AM

Damn neighbors, bringing down my property value.